City to get their man! Frank Lampard staying in Manchester under extended loan deal

MANCHESTER CITY have hammered out a deal to keep Frank Lampard to the end of the season.

But last night they were in a race against time to include the former Chelsea midfielder in their squad for today's game against Sunderland.

Lampard's short-term contract runs out at midnight tonight but he has agreed to extend his stay and delay joining up with their US sister club New York City for the new MLS campaign which starts in March.

It is understood his new loan deal at the Etihad will include a break clause allowing him to leave for New York at the end of February if it suits all parties.

City were still working on finalising the deal with all parties, including the Premier League, in time for him to be available today.

But manager Manuel Pellegrini remains confident that any red tape complications will be sorted in time.

"Yes, he is in the squad list," he said. "I said all along that we will know what is happening with Frank's future by the end of December so I hope to have news today. It is important for him to stay with us and I hope it will be to the end of the season.

"It is better to wait a little bit more when all the things about Frank are clear we can talk more about it. When you ask what I want it is for him to stay here until the end of the season.

"It is not a thing I want to continue talking about, because there are a lot of parties involved. When we have finished all the things about his contract, I will give you the news. But for the moment, it is my intention for Frank to stay here.

"He also wants to stay, but it is not easy just to do in two or three days. He can be in the squad list [for the Sunderland] without any problem because we are still in December at the moment.

"If we don't sign a new contract then maybe tomorrow he can be put out of the squad list. But today he is in the squad list."

Asked if New York City, who are also owned by City's Abu Dhabi owner Sheikh Mansour, were unhappy, he replied: "That is a private conversation."

But New York City's director of football, former City player Claudio Reyna, suggested recently the US club were relaxed about any delay in Lampard joining them.

"Great players adjust and get to know each other really quick," he said. "I don't think it would be a huge disadvantage if he is not here from day one of pre-season."

Pellegrini confirmed that Yaya Toure, who was rested for the draw with Burnley, will be back in the starting line-up to face Sunderland today and Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup third round on Sunday before leaving for African Nations Cup duty with Ivory Coast.

He added: "Yaya is okay. He wasn't 100 per cent for the Burnley game so to play him was a risk. He must leave on Monday but he can play tomorrow and on Sunday."